Andie Bergstrom (Kate Capshaw) is dispirited after getting passed over in the space program. She reluctantly joins her Moon-walker astronaut husband Zack (Tom Skerritt) as an instructor at Space Camp. There is a wide range of camp goers. Kevin (Tate Donovan) is the arrogant cad. Kathryn (Lea Thompson) is the plain-Jane eager flyer. Rudy (Larry B. Scott) is the energetic black kid. Tish (Kelly Preston) is the flighty alien-obsessed communications person. Max (Joaquin Phoenix) is the younger kid who befriends the NASA robot Jinx. The kids are excited to board the real shuttle during a routine engine test. Unbeknownst to anyone, Jinx programs a false incident which forces the shuttle to launch.
This was released less than six months after the Challenger accident. It had no chance in the theaters. It probably did get some after-market success with the kids. This is a kids' fantasy as much as any fantastical world. Everything other than the space stuff reminds me of being in camp as a kid. The movie has two main unrealistic story elements. The robot is ridiculous but it's a necessary story device. The same goes for the accidental launch. It's completely unreal but it's necessary. The positive surprise is the zero G work. I actually believe that they are floating in space. That goes a long way to make the second half of the movie thrilling. It doesn't come off as corny or silly. It's as compelling as many adult space adventures. This movie is surprisingly good.
This was released less than six months after the Challenger accident. It had no chance in the theaters. It probably did get some after-market success with the kids. This is a kids' fantasy as much as any fantastical world. Everything other than the space stuff reminds me of being in camp as a kid. The movie has two main unrealistic story elements. The robot is ridiculous but it's a necessary story device. The same goes for the accidental launch. It's completely unreal but it's necessary. The positive surprise is the zero G work. I actually believe that they are floating in space. That goes a long way to make the second half of the movie thrilling. It doesn't come off as corny or silly. It's as compelling as many adult space adventures. This movie is surprisingly good.